Trimetallic composite nanofibers for antibacterial and photocatalytic dye degradation of mixed dye water

Abstract

Membrane technology is an advanced approach to making a healthier and cleaner environment. Using such catalytic membrane technology to get clean, usable water by removal of dye impurities as well as pathogenic microbes is the main goal behind the research work. Here, we present the synthesis and efficacy study of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based Ag/ ZnO/TiO 2 trimetallic bifunctional nanofibers with antibacterial and photocatalytic activity. The nanofibers have been proven to be effective for the degradation of methylene blue (MB 93.4%), rhodamine B (Rh 34.6%), auramine-O (Au 65.0%) and fuchsin basic (FB 69.8%) dyes individually within 90 min in daylight. The study is further extended in abating a mixture of these dyes from contaminated water using composite nanofibers. Also, in the case of a mixture of these dyes (3 ppm each), nanofibers show dye degradation efficiency (DDE) of 90.9% (MB), 62.4% (Au) and 90.3% (FB and Rh) in 60 min. The role of Ag nanoparticles with a synergic photocatalytic effect on ZnO and TiO 2 is also demonstrated. Also, PMMA/ZnO/TiO 2 composite fiber membrane in synergy with silver particles shows better antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria E. coli, making PMMA/Ag/ZnO/TiO 2 fibers a promising candidate in water purification.

Multimetallic Nanoparticles as Alternative Antimicrobial Agents: Challenges and Perspectives

“…Recently, FeCoNi mixed oxide NPs supported on oxidized MWCNTs were used as catalysts for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions, and they demonstrated enhanced selectivity with respect to the reduction of O 2 to OH− when compared with FeNi, FeCo, and CoNi bimetallic catalysts, thus suggesting synergistic effects among the metal oxide elements [ 65 ]. Similarly, the antimicrobial activity of trimetallic NPs shows synergistic effects when compared with bi- and trimetallic NPs, as shown in Table 2 [ 63 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. Therefore, greater attention has been paid to synergistic interactions or combinatorial therapy as an alternative strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant infectious pathogens.…”

Synthesis and potential applications of trimetallic nanostructures

“…The contamination of water by dyes, fluoride, heavy metal ions, and waste pharmaceuticals needs an urgent solution. 161,162 Therefore, the continuous advancement of nanotechnology has attracted substantial interest for environmental remediation and treatment due to the improved efficiency of the nanomaterials at a reasonable cost, stability, and recyclability. The small size of the nanomaterials is responsible for eliminating and purifying contaminated water, air, and soil via a chemical reduction process.…”

Efficient Dye Removal and Water Treatment Feasibility Assessment for Iraq's Industrial Sector: A Case Study on Terasil Blue Dye Treatment Using Inverse Fluidized Bed and Adsorption

“…Water stands as a fundamental element supporting all life on our planet, underscoring its unparalleled importance [3]. Nonetheless, the escalating challenges of global water contamination have become increasingly urgent, fueled by rapid industrialization, population growth, and climate change [4].…”